We get the frights and delights of building a new house here in Chile. I'd love every wishful idea you've ever had for a magic quilting space. Everything you'd like to have............

We have an architect who speaks English but she doesn't have a clue about sewing/quilting.

So far my list includes; Lots of space (it will be about 20x20) - lots of light and the view of the Andes out the front. So the front will be glass. There will be an attached bathroom and walk in closet at the back. (And curtains will be the first order of business to control light and heat ;)

So I need ideas for all the weird wonderful super fantastic things I can have done now at almost no cost. I've looked at a number of 'sewing rooms' in the home design sites but I am pretty sure the designers don't sew.

Anyway, I was thinking the back closet should have a skylight for subdued but real color lighting and to pull fresh air thru the room? (Plus track lighting for night time :)

I have seen factories that have the ironing electric line coming from the ceiling so it never gets tangled. (Doesn't cost anything to put it in when it's being wired at the start here) Is it a good idea or not so important? I have a LA quilt machine so maybe that line should be from the ceiling?

I have a reg machine and an overlocker. Is a U shape the best for holding up fabric while sewing?

Have and 8x8 design wall planned--2 full pieces of styrofoam covered and framed out with molding.

So what else???? And thanks in advance for all your input. I know you guys will have tons of things I've not thought of.......

11-20-2012, 05:15 AM

QuiltnNan

having the power outlets in the ceiling is definitely a great idea. the space behind your quilt frame is a great place for your design wall as nothing else will go there anyway.... although i put kitchen cabinets up high on that wall for extra storage... i'm shorter, so it's easy to walk under them. i like fluorescent lights... but you can get the daylight lamps for them for the proper type of lighting. i love your idea of the skylight in the closet.

11-20-2012, 05:48 AM

Suze9395

Oh how lucky!

Love the outlets in the ceiling, been wishing I had them for my LA. I would suggest playing with your layout to see if you would like any outlets in the middle of the floor. I just put up some cabinets, love them. You've covered windows, what a view; closet; outlets.

The only other thing I can think of for the construction process is your flooring choice. If you are in an area that gets very cold and you are going to use tile you might consider one of those hot water heating systems they put under them.

Oooo I saw a quilt rack you might like to get put while the mess is in underway. It was wooden, it looked like a pole with wooden rails sticking out that could be swung around. Let me see if I can find a picture, my word picture is terrible!

11-20-2012, 06:09 AM

Tartan

Is there a spot to build in cupboards for your stash? I recommend doors on a cupboard to prevent fading on your fabric. I would like a wall with a thin but strong metal rod and ring system along the ceiling to display finished quilts or wallhangings. I would want a cutting area cupboard that is at a comfortable height for rotary cutting with nice cubbies underneath for batts and rulers. Are you going to order a roll of batting? A wall rod to feed directly to your longarm would be nice. A strip of lights shining directly down on your longarm frame.

11-20-2012, 06:22 AM

annthreecats

I would suggest lots of electrical outlets and an ironing board that folds up into a cabinet in the wall. We had one in our kitchen grown up and it was super handy.

11-20-2012, 06:47 AM

gramajo

A ceiling fan--can be used summer to make you feel cooler while still not turning a/c up as high. For the winter, reverse the direction to push warm air down--same reason.

I know it's easier/faster to be able to just turn to the ironing board to press a seam, but since I have RA and back issues, my board is a few steps away from the machine. I have to get up and move, which helps me from getting too stiff sitting for a length of time. Just something to consider if you have mobility issues.

You are so lucky being able to design your dream sewing space. :hunf:

11-20-2012, 06:55 AM

Lori S

I suggest lighting around the perimeter as well as center. When I first converted a room I had lighting just in the center. Well there were still shaddows since the work areas were around the perimenter and the light had to come over my back. I now have perimeter lighting( on a seperate switch). It made a big difference.
When layout out space... use a method used by archtects. Write down each defined work space and storage area. Then in a column next to it write the adjacencies /relationship space.. example sewing machine whould have a relationship to Ironing, fabric storage to cutting table, etc. When it comes to storage its helpful to break this into mulitple categories and define the relationship of the specifics. This will help to ensure in the planning that the room is efficient . In a work space such as a studio.. it also helps it to stay neater .
One thing I really wish I had not skimped on is a hand sink in the area. Everytime I work on white fabric( hand washing), or need to put water in my iron, or just want to dampen my cleaning cloth... I could just kick myself.

11-20-2012, 07:05 AM

alisonquilts

Envious of what you'll have when the project is finished...but not envious of the process!

Skylight in the closet is a great idea; I have skylights in my workspace too and I love all of the light. I would be cautious about getting the skylights that can open - if not done perfectly they will leak. And definitely have a way of shading any skylights in your work space - they can throw bizarre shadows. I can't shade mine (way up high in a cathedral ceiling) and there are certain times of the day when my planning space is part in shade and part in sun, which is not ideal.

A place to hang finished quilts you want to photograph where there is good light and you won't get them dirty (could be outside).

Some sort of railing over which to hang partially finished quilts and cut lengths of fabric so they don't get creased while you aren't working on them. I have a 4 foot rod suspended from the side of a wall cabinet on one side and the door frame on the other about five feet off the floor, so it uses space behind the door which was otherwise wasted.

What are you going to keep in the closet? I like the skylight idea as long as you are not planning to store fabric in there. Light fades fabric fast, so if you want open shelving for fabric storage in your closet you would want to skip the skylight in favor of light that can be turned off when you don't need it.

I would include a large double sink in case you ever want to dye your own fabric.

It would definitely be nice to have ironing cords and longarm cords hanging from the ceiling. You need to check out photos on the net to see how to keep the hanging cords under control. I think they typically are either on tracks or are looped on some kind of bungee cord system.

I would have separate sewing stations for the sewing machine and serger and, ideally, both would have U-shaped cabinets. For a sewing machine you want a wide area on the left to hold a large quilt top as you finish it, and a similar area on the right would be really nice for holding stacks of pieces in order. The serger station really only needs a flat area on the left, although having an area on the right as well could be nice for keeping everything organized and at hand.

What about a sound system/tv/lounge chair/computer setup? I like to have tv or radio or music on when I am working, plus it would be nice to sit in a comfortable chair while watching quilting DVDs. These days I look up something about quilting on the computer many times a day, so it is nice having a computer setup in the same room.